Klapisch: Can Yankees find a starter before the deadline?

Record baseball columnist Bob Klapisch discusses the Yankees-White Sox trade that sent Tyler Clippard and prospects to Chicago for Todd Frazier, David Robertson, and Tommy Kahnle.
Bob Klapisch/NorthJersey.com

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher David Robertson throws in a June game. Robertson joined the Yankees on Wednesday.(Photo: Ken Blaze/USA TODAY Sports)

So where do the Yankees go in the aftermath of their mega-swap with the White Sox? In a perfect world, GM Brian Cashman enacts Phase Two of his pennant-race rebuild and adds a front-line starter to the rotation. But that's easier said than done, and may in fact just be wish-casting at this point.

The pitcher who Cashman coveted — Jose Quintana — was instead dealt to the Cubs, and the Yankees have no such appetite for the next-best option, Sonny Gray. As talented as the A's right-hander is, there's legitimate concern about his durability and health and, just as significantly, what it would cost to land him.

While the Yankees were willing to deal Blake Rutherford, their No. 1 draft pick in 2016, to get Quintana — and ultimately included him in the trade with the White Sox — they don't consider Gray an equal value. There are other secondary choices, like Toronto's Marco Estrada, but it's just as likely Cashman sticks with Bryan Mitchell or Luis Cessa or perhaps summons Chance Adams from Class-AAA. The point is to leave the farm system intact for 2018 and beyond.

Still, there's no mistaking the underlying message of Tuesday's trade. It was around midday when Cashman repeated to another major league executive an oft-stated goal about the Yankees’ drive to the postseason.

“We’re not just looking to get to the 163rd game,” Cashman said, referring to the wild-card shootout. “We want to keep playing beyond that.”

The takeaway? Clearly the Bombers had decided to go for it. Less than 12 hours later, Cashman pulled off a major trade with Chicago that represented a sweeping success for the Yankees and may indeed catapult them deep into October.

By adding David Robertson, Todd Frazier and Tommy Kahnle from the White Sox, Cashman added heft to both the Bombers’ lineup and bullpen without radically diminishing the minor league system. The swap sent Rutherford, left-hander Ian Clarkin and outfielder Tito Polo to Chicago. All three were fine prospects but not considered blue-chip talents like Clint Frazier, Gleyber Torres or Justus Sheffield.

Cashman also managed to unload the increasingly unreliable Tyler Clippard, whose spot will be assumed by Robertson. The Bombers now have their best late-inning alignment since Andrew Miller was dealt to the Indians last summer, and it should provide cover for a rotation that’s admittedly still thin.

We’ll see whether Cashman can finesse a deal with his buddy, A's GM Billy Beane, even though Oakland can literally pick its trading partner. The interest in Gray is that widespread. In the Yankees' case, the loss of Michael Pineda was a setback that was at least partly responsible for Tuesday’s trade with Chicago.

Now, if nothing else, the Yankees can reasonably assume their late-inning leads will be safe. Prior to the trade, they were leading the majors with 18 blown saves. Yankees fans are familiar with Robertson, who served briefly and capably (39 saves) as the closer after Mariano Rivera’s retirement in 2013. The right-hander will ostensibly lock down the seventh inning now that he’s back in pinstripes, acting as the bridge to Dellin Betances in the eighth. But he’ll also be able to spell Aroldis Chapman when he needs a night off.

The dark horse in the deal might just be Kahnle, a former member of the Yankees organization who was left off the 40-man roster after 2013 due to concerns about his control. Kahnle has since evolved, however, and was averaging 15 strikeouts per nine innings with the White Sox.

What, then, about Frazier? For now, he’s just a rental, poised to test free agency after this season. Still, it’ll be an telling audition at third base, where the Yankees will consider the merits of (a) his .207 average and (b) his 16 home runs. Frazier can only improve the Yankees' overall productivity, given their underperformance at both third and first, where Chase Headley will play on an everyday basis.

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New York Yankees first base coach Tony Pena greets infielder Todd Frazier, right, in the dugout during a baseball game with the Minnesota Twins Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in Minneapolis. The Yankees acquired Frazier on Tuesday in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Bruce Kluckhohn, AP

New York Yankees third baseman Todd Frazier sits in the dugout with Aaron Judge during a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins Wednesday, July 19, 2017, in Minneapolis. The Yankees acquired Frazier on Tuesday in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)
Bruce Kluckhohn, AP

PHOENIX, AZ - MAY 23: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox leans on the dugout rail before the start of the MLB game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on May 23, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Christian Petersen, Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 25: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox celebrates after hitting a wlakoff RBI single against the Seattle Mariners to score Adam Eaton #1 (not pictured) in their win at U.S. Cellular Field on August 25, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The Chicago White Sox won 7-6. (Photo by Jon Durr/Getty Images)
Jon Durr, Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 12: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox fist pumps pediatric cancer patient Atia Lutarewych before a game against the Cleveland Indianson September 12, 2016 at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)
David Banks, Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - SEPTEMBER 28: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox hits a career high 40th home run of the season, a solo shot in the 7th inning, against the Tampa Bay Rays at U.S. Cellular Field on September 28, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
Jonathan Daniel, Getty Images

TORONTO, ON - JUNE 17: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox hits a solo home run in the second inning during MLB game action against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on June 17, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
Tom Szczerbowski, Getty Images

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 03: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox hits a double against the Oakland Athletics during the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum on July 3, 2017 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
Jason O. Watson, Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 13: National League All-Star Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with the trophy after winning the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders at the Great American Ball Park on July 13, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elsa, Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 13: National League All-Star Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds celebrates with his brother Charlie after winning the Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders at the Great American Ball Park on July 13, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elsa, Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - JULY 21: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds watches the action in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs at Great American Ball Park on July 21, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Andy Lyons, Getty Images

SAN DIEGO, CA - JULY 11: Todd Frazier of the Chicago White Sox competes during the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at PETCO Park on July 11, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Harry How, Getty Images

DENVER, CO - JULY 08: Todd Frazier #21 of the Chicago White Sox scores on a Yolmer Sanchez 2 RBI triple in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Coors Field on July 8, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Matthew Stockman, Getty Images

Chicago White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier watches his team during the ninth inning a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, July 18, 2017, in Chicago. The Dodgers won 1-0. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast)
Charles Rex Arbogast, AP

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - AUGUST 24: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds fields a fly ball during game one of a doubleheader against the Florida Marlins at Sun Life Stadium on August 24, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 18: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds throws over to first base during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 18, 2014 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Joe Sargent/Getty Images)
Joe Sargent, Getty Images

PITTSBURGH, PA - SEPTEMBER 20: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds fields a ground ball barehanded in the sixth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the game on September 20, 2013 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Justin K. Aller, Getty Images

Cincinnati Reds Todd Frazier signs autographs before their game agaisnt the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of their baseball game in Cincinnati Friday July 4, 2014. (AP Photo/TomUhlman)
TOM UHLMAN, AP

BOSTON, MA - MAY 07: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinatti Reds poses for a portrait prior to the interleague game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on May 7, 2014 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Jared Wickerham, Getty Images

Cincinnati Reds' Todd Frazier points to the dugout after hitting a double off Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Cristhian Martinez to drive in three runs in the seventh inning of a baseball game on Saturday, July 23, 2011, in Cincinnati. Cincinnati won 11-2. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Al Behrman, AP

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Defending home run derby champion Todd Frazier of the White Sox bats in the 2016 derby in San Diego on Monday night. Frazier lost in the finals to Miami?s Giancarlo Stanton.
Jul 11, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; American League infielder Todd Frazier (21) of the Chicago White Sox at bat in the quraterfinals during the All Star Game home run derby at PetCo Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Jake Roth, Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Reds first baseman Todd Frazier gets a hit against the Mets in the first inning Saturday.
Cincinnati Reds' Todd Frazier gets a hit off New York Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee in the first inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, in Cincinnati. Travis d'Arnaud catches at right. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Al Behrman, AP

Todd Frazier, shown celebrating with his brothers after he won the Gillette Home Run Derby the night before the Major League All-Star Game in July, was traded by the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday.
iTodd Frazier, shown celebrating with his brothers after he won the Gillette Home Run Derby the night before the Major League All-Star Game in July, was traded to the Chicago White Sox Wednesday, reports said.
Joe Robbins, GETTY IMAGES

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 14: National League All-Star Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during the Gillette Home Run Derby at Target Field on July 14, 2014 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - JULY 14: National League All-Star Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds bats during the Gillette Home Run Derby at Target Field on July 14, 2014 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Elsa, Getty Images

Chris Rotolo/Staff Photo
Cincinnati Reds third baseman and Toms River East Little League alumnus Todd Frazier poses with members of the Brick Bulldogs at the 2014 USABL & Frazier Baseball Halloween Havoc Tournament in Toms River on Sunday.
Chris Rotollo

Toms River, NJ 3/26/2004 L-R Marc Fink, 1994 Jackson Memorial High School grad holds the Shore Conference home run record and Todd Frazier, Toms River High School South senior wants to beat that record this year. Michael Sypniewski/Staff Photographer
Digital Collections/IPTC

PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 25: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds on deck in the seventh inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 25, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
Justin K. Aller, Getty Images

CINCINNATI, OH - MAY 31: Todd Frazier #21 of the Cincinnati Reds hits a home run in the 4th inning during the game against the Washington Nationals at Great American Ball Park on May 31, 2015 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
Andy Lyons, Getty Images

Cincinnati Reds' Todd Frazier waits in the dugout for his turn to bat in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers, Friday, July 3, 2015, in Cincinnati. The Brewers won 12-1. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
John Minchillo, AP

Todd Frazier (right) of the Cincinnati Reds greets his brother Charlie Frazier (left) after competing in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby on July 14.
Jesse Johnson/USA TODAY Sports
Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League infielder Todd Frazier (right) of the Cincinnati Reds greets his brother Charlie Frazier (left) after competing in the first round during the 2014 Home Run Derby the day before the MLB All Star Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jesse Johnson, Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Cashman has made a point of saying Greg Bird is still the club’s first baseman of the future. He’s projected to return in time for spring training and will be given a head start to reclaim the job. That would indicate Frazier’s time in New York is short-lived, unless the Yankees decide to part ways with Matt Holliday. His contributions have fallen off since June, and he further hamstrings the roster with his inability to play the field. Could Frazier be the next Holliday, their 2018 designated hitter who can fill in defensively? It depends on what Cashman sees in the next two-plus months.

This much is certain: The Yankees believe the division is very much up for grabs. Even though the Rays have been a surprise, Bombers officials still consider the Red Sox their primary target. Keeping Frazier away from Fenway was a secondary triumph for Cashman on Tuesday.

The GM has given Joe Girardi the tools to score more runs, preserve leads and otherwise remain competitive with just about everyone except the Astros, currently the majors’ best team after the Dodgers. But an otherwise homogenous American League allowed the Yankees to shift gears on their original game plan for 2017, deciding it would be more than just a showcase for the kids. They’ve stuck around long enough to believe anything is possible in the second half.

But Cashman was careful not to treat the trade as a zero-sum equation — fattening the Yankees’ chances at a playoff run at the expense of continued growth in 2018-2019. It took some delicate negotiating, but it appears the GM succeeded. The Yankees are a considerably better team than they were 24 hours ago, but without inflicting major damage on the farm system. We'll see if Cashman's gamble pays off.

In the meantime, though, the Yankees just picked up speed in pursuit of the postseason. Plenty of it.

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Sarah and Jordan Check, both 12, of Sayreville play in the surf. Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Adam Burak, 27 of Livingston plays at the edge of the water. Adam is blind and autistic but isn’t slowed down by the conditons. Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Island Beach lifeguards get ready to head down to the water as guests arrive for the Day at the Beach. Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Alex Lori helps his brother, Nicholas, who is blind and autistic, as they walk in the waves during Day at the Beach. They are from Maplewood. Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Sarah and Jordan Check, both 12, of Sayreville play in the surf. Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman

Epilepsy Foundation of New Jersey hosted its annual Day at the Beach. It's kids and adults with a variety of special needs, usually neurological, including Epilepsy and autism, who have a "judgement free" private beach day, designed to give them privacy away from other beachgoers. It's also a way for parents and caretakers to connect with one another.
Peter Ackerman